How often is Guillain-Barré Syndrome reported in Canada after seasonal influenza vaccine?
Prior to 2009, about 10 to 12 million doses of influenza vaccine were distributed each year in Canada, making it the single largest annual immunization program in the country. Over the last three years, between 250-300 serious adverse events following the flu shot were reported each year. Since 1997, during 12 annual seasonal influenza vaccine campaigns, a total of 79 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) have been reported following influenza vaccine. This is an average of 7 cases per year, with a yearly range of 1 to 14 cases. Given the annual background rate of 600-700 new in Canada, cases reported following influenza vaccine do not exceed the expected rate. The risk of getting GBS after getting the flu shot is, at most, one extra case per 1 million doses administered. The fact is you are at far greater risk of developing GBS after getting the flu than you are after getting a flu shot.
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